For a 13.5” pachyderm, stick with bulky weight yarn. You’ll need to be able to be able to work in the round on double pointed needles (Magic Loop is probably fine), and enough knitting ability to increase, decrease, graft (kitchener) and keep up with short rows. Short rows by themselves are not bad or scary - I don’t even bother with wrapping - but those ears have a lot of them and you’ll probably want a sticky note as a place holder. Optional (low-key, non-threatening, embroidered) tusk instructions are included in the pattern if you prefer a male Asian Elephant.

Intermediate and above knitters will be fine. Adventurous knitters just beginning to work in the round might find this one a challenge. But that shouldn’t stop you from trying!

India is home to almost 60% of the remaining Asian Elephant population. In Northern India, large numbers of elephant babies are stolen from their wild families by poachers, trained and held as captive workers. Asian Elephants are endangered, their survival in India is critical to their survival as a species.

Which is why $4 from the purchase of each “E is for Elephant” pattern will go to Wildlife SOS ($1,074 since publication! Woot!). This organization specifically targets captive ‘working’ elephants in urban areas to help the wounded, malnourished and dehydrated. Wildlife SOS offers medical services to all injured elephants, teaches humane handling and is working to remove the neediest elephants to an elephant sanctuary. It takes many thousands of dollars to rescue a single elephant, but every little bit helps. For more information, please visit http://wildlifesos.org